Ranking the Top 25 Power Four College Football Coaches Entering the 2025 Season: Where LSU’s Brian Kelly Stands

As the 2025 college football season approaches, the landscape of the Power Four conferences—SEC, Big Ten, ACC, and Big 12—continues to evolve rapidly. With the dissolution of the Pac-12 and subsequent realignment, the pressure on head coaches to deliver results has never been higher. From national title contenders to programs in the middle of rebuilds, coaching success is measured not just in wins but in culture, recruiting, and adaptability. In that spirit, here is a comprehensive ranking of the top 25 Power Four coaches entering the 2025 season—and where LSU’s Brian Kelly fits among them.

At the top of the list, it’s no surprise to see Georgia’s Kirby Smart holding the No. 1 spot. With back-to-back national titles in 2021 and 2022 and an SEC Championship in 2024, Smart has built Georgia into a perennial powerhouse. His defense-first philosophy, player development acumen, and elite recruiting classes place him a step ahead of the competition. He’s followed closely by Michigan’s Sherrone Moore, who proved in 2024 that he was more than ready to take over for Jim Harbaugh, guiding the Wolverines to another College Football Playoff appearance. Moore’s calm demeanor and Big Ten dominance warrant his position near the top.

In third sits Kalen DeBoer, who made a high-profile move to Alabama after Nick Saban’s retirement. DeBoer took Washington to the College Football Playoff in 2023 and now faces the pressure of maintaining Alabama’s gold standard. The transition won’t be easy, but DeBoer’s track record as a program builder makes him a worthy heir in Tuscaloosa.

Fourth belongs to Florida State’s Mike Norvell, whose steady hand returned the Seminoles to relevance with an ACC title and an undefeated regular season in 2023. Though the CFP committee controversially left FSU out that year, Norvell’s recruiting and offensive creativity have sustained momentum heading into 2025. Ohio State’s Ryan Day rounds out the top five. Despite vocal critics after losses to Michigan, Day has won at a high level consistently and recruits as well as anyone in the country. With a new quarterback and defensive coordinator in place, 2025 could be his bounce-back year.

Texas’ Steve Sarkisian comes in at No. 6 after leading the Longhorns to a College Football Playoff berth in 2023 and remaining strong in recruiting. Sarkisian’s offense is explosive, and with the Longhorns joining the SEC, all eyes are on whether he can sustain that success against tougher competition. At No. 7 is Oregon’s Dan Lanning, who has Oregon thriving in the new-look Big Ten. Lanning’s SEC roots have served him well as a recruiter, and his aggressive defenses are winning games out west.

Landing at No. 8 is Penn State’s James Franklin, a coach often on the cusp of greatness. Despite not yet breaking through to win a Big Ten title under the new divisions, Franklin has kept the Nittany Lions in the top 10 and continues to develop NFL-ready talent. No. 9 is Lane Kiffin at Ole Miss, whose high-octane offense and social media persona often overshadow his true coaching skill. Kiffin has turned the Rebels into a legitimate SEC West contender and is a threat in every game.

At No. 10 is LSU’s Brian Kelly. Now entering his fourth season in Baton Rouge, Kelly has stabilized a program that was teetering after Ed Orgeron’s departure. In his first season, Kelly won the SEC West. His second saw the Tigers produce a Heisman-winning quarterback in Jayden Daniels, though defensive inconsistency plagued the team. While LSU fell short of a playoff bid in 2024, Kelly’s trajectory remains upward. He’s improved roster depth through recruiting and the transfer portal and made key defensive staff changes in the offseason.

Kelly’s greatest strength lies in organization and roster building. LSU has recruited at a top-five level under him, and the Tigers’ offensive production has been among the best in the country. What’s held Kelly back from a higher ranking is postseason success. LSU has yet to win a major bowl under his tenure, and the defense has struggled in big moments. Still, with elite young talent and improved defensive outlook, Kelly enters 2025 with a realistic shot at making the 12-team playoff. His national title window is open—and it’s time to capitalize.

Behind Kelly, No. 11 is Utah’s Kyle Whittingham, who has adapted brilliantly to every change college football has thrown at him. Whether in the Pac-12 or now in the Big 12, Whittingham’s Utes are always tough, physical, and disciplined. He’s one of the most underrated coaches in the country. At No. 12 is Notre Dame’s Marcus Freeman, whose defense has impressed, though the Fighting Irish are still seeking consistency on offense. Freeman’s leadership and recruiting continue to inspire confidence, and 2025 could be a breakout season.

No. 13 is Josh Heupel at Tennessee. After an explosive 2022 campaign, Heupel’s offense remains dangerous, though quarterback play declined in 2024. Still, he has the Vols in a better place than they’ve been in decades. At No. 14 is Dave Clawson at Wake Forest. While not a recruiting powerhouse, Clawson continues to punch above his weight, turning three-star recruits into draft picks and keeping Wake competitive in the ACC.

Kansas State’s Chris Klieman ranks No. 15. A program builder and former national champion at the FCS level, Klieman has made the Wildcats a threat every year in the Big 12. He’s followed by Mack Brown at North Carolina at No. 16, whose experience and quarterback development make him one of the most respected coaches in the sport. Though nearing the end of his career, Brown still recruits at a high level.

At No. 17 is Missouri’s Eli Drinkwitz, one of the biggest risers in 2024. The Tigers finished with 11 wins and a New Year’s Six bowl appearance, making Drinkwitz a hot name in coaching circles. If he replicates that success in 2025, he’ll climb even higher. Brent Venables at Oklahoma sits at No. 18. After a rocky start, Venables led the Sooners to a strong 10-win campaign in 2024. His defensive chops are beginning to show through in his team’s identity.

At No. 19 is Mike Elko, now at Texas A&M after turning Duke into an ACC contender. Elko’s defensive brilliance and no-nonsense approach are a perfect fit for the Aggies, who are desperate for sustained success. At No. 20 is Louisville’s Jeff Brohm. After returning to his alma mater, Brohm immediately elevated the Cardinals’ offense and recruiting, earning a conference championship game appearance in his first season.

No. 21 is Brent Pry at Virginia Tech, who’s brought toughness back to Blacksburg. The Hokies made a bowl game in 2024 and seem to have found a rhythm defensively. No. 22 is PJ Fleck at Minnesota, who continues to “row the boat” despite some regression in recent years. Fleck’s culture and recruiting still give the Gophers hope for another breakthrough season.

No. 23 is Matt Rhule at Nebraska. Rhule has taken over one of the toughest rebuilds in the country, but 2025 feels like a potential turning point with an influx of young talent. At No. 24 is Shane Beamer of South Carolina. Beamer has built a resilient program, even with inconsistent quarterback play and tough SEC scheduling. His players love him, and he’s brought energy to Columbia.

Rounding out the list at No. 25 is Dave Doeren at NC State. Doeren has quietly built one of the most stable programs in the ACC, regularly producing tough defenses and competitive teams. His work often flies under the radar, but it deserves national recognition.

Notably absent from this list are several big-name coaches entering prove-it years. Billy Napier at Florida and Mel Tucker at Michigan State have immense pressure to deliver after underwhelming seasons, while newcomers like DeShaun Foster (UCLA) and Fran Brown (Syracuse) are still unproven.

Brian Kelly’s ranking at No. 10 reflects both his consistency and the expectations that come with leading LSU. He’s in the middle of a crucial stretch—one where recruiting, quarterback development, and defensive improvement must align. If they do, Kelly could soon find himself in the top five. If not, the intense spotlight of Baton Rouge will only grow hotter. The talent is there. The support is there. Now, the results must follow.

As the 2025 season kicks off, the Power Four coaching hierarchy remains fluid. Titles will shift, perceptions will evolve, and new stars will rise. But for now, these 25 names set the tone for what promises to be another thrilling year in college football.